US9597736B2

US9597736B2 - Adjustable diameter hole cutter

Info

Publication number: US9597736B2
Application number: US14/577,055
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael S. Steele; Robb Dennert; Bryan C. Ward
Original assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp
Current assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp
Priority date: 2013-12-19
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2017-03-21
Also published as: CN204603374U; US10576553B2; US20190022771A1; US20170157682A1; US20150174670A1; US10124417B2

Abstract

A hole cutter assembly is operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece. The hole cutter assembly includes an arbor configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis, and a body coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor. The body defines an aperture. The hole cutter assembly includes a drill bit removably received in the aperture of the body for rotation with the arbor, an arm moveably coupled to the body, and a cutting blade coupled to the arm and moveable with the arm relative to the body. The arm is moveable relative to the body to adjust a cutting diameter of the hole cutter assembly when the drill bit is not received within the aperture. The arm is fixed relative to the body when the drill bit is received within the aperture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/918,298, filed Dec. 19, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to hole cutters and, more particularly, to hole cutters having adjustable cutting diameters.

Typically, hole saws or cutters including adjustable cutting diameters require tools (e.g., screwdrivers or Allen wrenches) to enable adjustability of the hole saws. As such, it is time consuming and inefficient to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes. In addition, accuracy and repeatability of the hole saws are limited by a mechanism that controls the adjustability of cutting different diameters.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a hole cutter assembly operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece. The hole cutter assembly includes an arbor configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis, and a body coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor. The body defines an aperture. The hole cutter assembly includes a drill bit removably received in the aperture of the body for rotation with the arbor, and an arm moveably coupled to the body. The arm extends generally perpendicular to the axis. The cutter assembly includes a cutting blade coupled to the arm and moveable with the arm relative to the body. The arm is moveable relative to the body to adjust a cutting diameter of the hole cutter assembly when the drill bit is not received within the aperture. The arm is fixed relative to the body when the drill bit is received within the aperture.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a hole cutter assembly operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece. The hole cutter assembly includes an arbor configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis, a body coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor, and a first arm moveably coupled to the body. The first arm extends generally perpendicular to the axis. The hole cutter assembly includes a first cutting blade coupled to the first arm and moveable with the first arm relative to the body, and a second arm moveably coupled to the body. The second arm extends generally perpendicular to the axis. The hole cutter assembly includes a second cutting blade coupled to the second arm and moveable with the second arm relative to the body. The first arm and the second arm are oriented generally parallel to each other on opposing sides of the axis.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an adjustable hole cutter system operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece. The adjustable hole cutter system includes a debris shield assembly having a bowl, and a hub slidably coupled to the bowl. The hole cutter system includes a hole cutter assembly substantially received within the debris shield assembly. The hole cutter assembly is rotatable relative to the debris shield assembly. The hole cutter assembly includes an arbor extending through the hub and configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis, and a body coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor. The body defines an aperture that selectively receives the drill bit. The hole cutter assembly includes a drill bit removably received in the aperture of the body for rotation with the arbor, and a first arm moveably coupled to the body. The first arm extends generally perpendicular to the axis. The hole cutter assembly includes a first cutting blade coupled to the first arm and moveable with the first arm relative to the body, and a second arm moveably coupled to the body. The second arm extends generally perpendicular to the axis. The hole cutter assembly includes a second cutting blade coupled to the second arm and moveable with the second arm relative to the body. The first arm and the second arm are moveable relative to the body to adjust a cutting diameter of the hole cutter assembly when the drill bit is not received within the aperture. The first arm and the second arm are fixed relative to the body when the drill bit is received within the aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable hole cutter system according to one embodiment of the invention and coupled to a power tool.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable hole cutter system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a debris shield assembly of the hole cutter system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hole cutter assembly of the adjustable hole cutter system.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the hole cutter assembly.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hole cutter assembly taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the adjustable hole saw system abutting a work piece.

FIG. 8 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the adjustable hole saw system cutting into the work piece.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an adjustable hole cutter system 10 coupled to a power tool 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the power tool 14 is a rotary drill. The adjustable hole cutter system 10 is selectively secured to a drive portion 18 of the power tool 14. The drive portion 18 defines an axis 22 about which the power tool 14 rotates at least a portion of the adjustable hole cutter system 10. The hole cutter system 10 is “adjustable” in that the size (i.e., diameter) of a hole cut using the adjustable hole cutter system 10 may be changed or adjusted to a desired size. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable hole cutter system 10 is operable to cut different sized diameter holes within a work piece 24 (FIGS. 7 and 8). In some embodiments, the work piece 24 is dry wall material, but the adjustable hole saw system 10 is also operable to cut holes in a variety of other materials (e.g., plastics, wood, metal, composites, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 2, the adjustable hole cutter system 10 includes a debris shield assembly 26 and a hole cutter assembly 30. The debris shield assembly 26 and the hole cutter assembly 30 are concentrically aligned about the rotational axis 22.

The illustrated debris shield assembly 26 includes a bowl 34 and a hub 38. The hub 38 is concentrically aligned with the bowl 34 about the rotational axis 22. With reference to FIG. 3, the bowl 34 is a transparent member constructed from a substantially rigid material (e.g., rigid plastic). The illustrated bowl 34 includes a sidewall 42 and a bottom wall 46. The sidewall 42 includes steps 50 that protrude inwardly within the bowl 34 towards the rotational axis 22. The steps 50 are in communication with the bottom wall 46 and generally extend the entire length (i.e., depth measured generally parallel to the axis 22) of the sidewall 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the steps 50 are orientated at an angle relative to the rotational axis 22 (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the steps 50 may be orientated generally normal to the rotational axis 22. In addition, the illustrated sidewall 42 includes five steps 50 radially spaced equally apart. For example, adjacent steps 50 are seventy-two degrees apart from each other. In other embodiments, the sidewall 42 may include more or less than five steps 50 such that the radial spacing between the steps 50 is accordingly adjusted.

In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom wall 46 includes a channel 54. The channel 54 is a portion of the bottom wall 46 that is recessed (in the direction of the axis 22) relative to the remainder of the bottom wall 46. The illustrated channel 54 defines a circumferential perimeter of the bottom wall 46. In other words, the channel 54 is adjacent the sidewall 42 such that the sidewall 42 is coupled to the bottom wall 46 via the channel 54. The channel 54 is also in communication with the steps 50.

The bottom wall 46 includes a central aperture 58 and radial slots 62 concentrically aligned with the rotational axis 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 46 includes four radial slots 62 adjacent the central aperture 58. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, fingers or tabs 66 are defined on two of the radial slots 62 that are diametrically opposed (e.g., the fingers 66 are spaced 180 degrees apart). The fingers 66 also face towards the central aperture 58. In other embodiments, the bottom wall 46 may include more or less than four radial slots 62 and two fingers 66.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the hub 38 is a hollow, generally cylindrical member having sidewalls 74 extending from an end wall 76. The sidewalls 74 are discrete in that the sidewalls 74 may bend or flex independently of and relative to each other. The sidewalls 74 extend substantially parallel to the rotational axis 22 and are defined by slots between the sidewalls 74. The sidewalls 74 are sized to be received within the radial slots 62 of the bowl 34. In other words, the number of sidewalls 74 is dependent upon the number of radial slots 62. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the hub 38 includes four discrete sidewalls 74. In other embodiments, the hub 38 may include fewer or more sidewalls 74.

The hub 38 also includes a pair of grooves 78 and stops 82 located on opposing sidewalls 74. The grooves 78 extend along most of the length of the sidewalls 74. The stops 82 are located within and generally at an end of the grooves 78. The grooves 78 and the stops 82 correspond to the fingers 66 of the bowl 34. In other words, the number of grooves 78 and stops 82 are dependent upon the number of fingers 66.

The illustrated hub 38 also includes a bushing 86. The bushing 86 is located within the end wall 76. The bushing 86 is concentric with the rotational axis 22. The bushing 86 is sized to be secured within the hub 38 by, for example, a press fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the bushing 86 is made of metal, which includes adequate wear properties.

In addition, the illustrated hub 38 includes a biasing member 90. The biasing member 90 is located within the sidewalls 74. In particular, the biasing member 90 is attached to the end wall 76 near the bushing 86 by protrusions 70 (FIG. 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing member 90 is a compression coil spring. In other embodiments, other types of biasing members may also or alternatively be employed.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the hole cutter assembly 30 includes an arbor 94, a drill bit 98, and a body 102. The drill bit 98 is selectively coupled to the arbor 94 with the body 102 located therebetween. The arbor 94 and the drill bit 98 are concentric with the rotational axis 22. The body 102 is also concentric with the rotational axis 22, but includes portions extending generally perpendicular to the rotational axis 22.

The drill bit 98 includes an attachment end 110 separated from a working end 114 by a shoulder 118 (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the working end 114 defines a 5/16″ drill bit. In other embodiments, different sized drill bits may also be utilized. The attachment end 110 defines a hexagonal shank configured to be received within the arbor 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the drill bit 98 is a twist bit. In other embodiments, the drill bit 98 may be a different type of bit, such as a spade bit.

With reference to FIG. 4, the arbor 94 also includes an attachment end 122 and a working end 126. The attachment end 122 defines a hexagonal shank configured to be received within the drive portion 18 of the power tool 14. The working end 126 is configured to selectively receive the attachment end 110 of the drill bit 98. In the illustrated embodiment, the working end 126 includes a quick connect mechanism. The quick connect mechanism is described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,523, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

With reference to FIG. 2, the body 102 defines a central aperture 130 that is concentric with the rotational axis 22, two

bores

134 a, 134 b that are perpendicular to the rotational axis 22, and two

windows

138 a, 138 b. Each

window

138 a, 138 b corresponds to a

respective bore

134 a, 134 b. The central aperture 130 is located within the center of the body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the central aperture 130 and the

bores

134 a, 134 b have generally hexagonal cross-sections. In other embodiments, the

bores

134 a, 134 b may be differently constructed (e.g., octagonal, triangular, circular, etc.). The

bores

134 a, 134 b extend through the entire length of the body 102 and are located on equally opposing sides of the central aperture 130. In other words, the distance between the central aperture 130 and each bore is the same. The

windows

138 a, 138 b are located on a periphery of the body 102 and are in communication with a

respective bore

134 a, 134 b. The

windows

138 a, 138 b also include

pointers

142 a, 142 b (FIGS. 5 and 6), which indicate generally the center of each

window

138 a, 138 b. In addition, the

pointers

142 a, 142 b are coplanar with the rotational axis 22. Also, the central aperture 130 is orientated on the body 102 such that two opposing points of the six pointed hexagonal-shaped aperture are coplanar with the

pointers

142 a, 142 b and the rotational axis 22.

Furthermore, the body 102 includes

openings

146 a, 146 b that are in communication with the central aperture 130 and the

bores

134 a, 134 b. The

openings

146 a, 146 b are generally aligned with the

pointers

142 a, 142 b (FIG. 6).

With reference to FIG. 6, the body 102 also includes

detent assemblies

150 a, 150 b positioned internally between the

bores

134 a, 134 b. Each

detent assembly

150 a, 150 b corresponds to one of the

bores

134 a, 134 b. Therefore, the detent assembly 150 a is in communication with the bore 134 a, and the detent assembly 150 b is in communication with the bore 134 b. Each

detent assembly

150 a, 150 b includes a

projection

152 a, 152 b and a

spring

154 a, 154 b. The

projections

152 a, 152 b are biased towards their

respective bores

134 a, 134 b by the

springs

154 a, 154 b.

With reference to FIG. 5, the hole cutter assembly 30 includes two

arms

106 a, 106 b. The

arms

106 a, 106 b extend from the body 102 and are perpendicular to the rotational axis 22. The

arms

106 a, 106 b are slidably received within the

bores

134 a, 134 b, respectively, of the body 102 in a side-by-side relationship. In other words, the

arms

106 a, 106 b are oriented generally parallel to each other on opposing sides of the axis 22. The drill bit 98 is located between the

arms

106 a, 106 b. In some embodiments, the hole cutter assembly 30 may only include one arm, or may include three or more arms.

The

arms

106 a, 106 b are elongated members having generally hexagonal cross-sections. Each of the illustrated

arms

106 a, 106 b includes a plurality of notches 158 and indicia 162. The notches 158 generally span the entire length of the

arms

106 a, 106 b and are oriented such that the notches 158 are in facing relationship with the central aperture 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the notches 158 are defined generally as V-shaped notches. In other embodiments, the notches 158 may be differently configured (e.g., semicircles). In the illustrated embodiment, the notches 158 of each

arm

106 a, 106 b are spaced apart by approximately ⅛″. In other embodiments, the notches 158 may be spaced apart differently (e.g., 1/16″, ¼″, etc.). Likewise, the indicia 162 generally span the entire length of the

arms

106 a, 106 b, but are orientated in facing relationship with the

windows

138 a, 138 b. Each indicium 162 corresponds to individual notches 158 located on the

arms

106 a, 106 b. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicia 162 are represented by a series of numbers identifying the diameter of cut the hole cutter assembly 30 will perform in inches. In other embodiments, the indicia 162 may represent a diameter of cut in metric units (e.g., centimeters).

The

arms

106 a, 106 b also include

stops

166 a, 166 b located at opposite ends relative to cutting

blades

170 a, 170 b. The

stops

166 a, 166 b are defined as fasteners that are coupled to ends of the

arms

106 a, 106 b to prevent the

arms

106 a, 106 b from being removed from their

respective bores

134 a, 134 b. That is, the

stops

166 a, 166 b inhibit the

arms

106 a, 106 b from being pulled completely through the

bores

134 a, 134 b. In the illustrated embodiments, the

stops

166 a, 166 b are threaded screws. In other embodiments, the

stops

166 a, 166 b may be shoulders or projections formed on or secured to the

arms

106 a, 106 b.

The

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b generally extend in the same direction as and are generally parallel to the drill bit 98. FIG. 8 illustrates the drill bit 98 extending past the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b by a distance 174. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance 174 is about ¾″. In other embodiments, the distance 174 may correspond to the thickness of the work piece 24. The

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b also acts as a stop to prevent the

arms

106 a, 106 b from being removed from their

respective bores

134 a, 134 b. In addition, the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b are coupled to the

arms

106 a, 106 b by threaded fasteners (e.g., screws) 176 a, 176 b such that the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b are removable from the

arms

106 a, 106 b to facilitate replacement of the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a portion of each

cutting blade

170 a, 170 b defines a hexagonal shaped aperture that is received on the

respective arms

106 a, 106 b to inhibit relative rotation between the cutting

blades

170 a, 170 b and the

arms

106 a, 106 b. The

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b include cutting

tips

178 a, 178 b. The cutting tip 178 a is substantially aligned with the arm 106 a, and the cutting tip 178 b is substantially aligned with the arm 106 b. Because the

arms

106 a, 106 b are spaced apart from each other on opposing sides of the axis 22, the cutting

tips

178 a, 178 b are also offset from each other when the hole cutter assembly 30 is viewed in FIG. 5. The

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b, however, have sufficient widths so that edges of the

blades

170 a, 170 b opposite the cutting

tips

178 a, 178 b overlap, when viewed along the lengths of the

arms

106 a, 106 b.

Assembly of the adjustable hole cutter system 10 prior to cutting a hole in the work piece 24 will be described in detail below. The hub 38 is assembled on the bowl 34 with the spring 90 positioned therebetween. In particular, the sidewalls 74 are received within the radial slots 62 so that the grooves 78 align with the fingers 66. When the hub 38 is secured to the bowl 34, the stops 82 contact the fingers 66 to inhibit removal of the hub 38 from the bowl 34. In other embodiments, the hub 38 may be removable from the bowl 34. In addition, when the hub 38 is secured to the bowl 34, the hub 38 is movable (e.g., slidable) along the rotational axis 22 relative to the bowl 34. The length of the sidewalls 74 are sized such that the movement of the hub 38 is limited relative to the bowl 34 by a set distance 182 (FIG. 8).

Before assembling the hole cutter assembly 30 with the shield assembly 26, a user first selects a desired diameter cut that the hole cutter assembly 30 performs on the workpiece 26. To select the desired diameter cut, the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b are moved relative to the axis 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b are fixed relative to the

respective arms

106 a, 106 b. Therefore, to adjust the distance between the cutting blades 107 a, 170 b, the

arms

106 a, 106 b are moved (e.g., slid) relative to the body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the

arms

106 a, 106 b are movable independently of each other. However, the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b are typically moved equal distances away from the axis 22 so that the hole cutter assembly 30 is balanced and cuts a constant diameter hole into a work piece.

As the

arms

106 a, 106 b move, the indicia 162 on the

arms

106 a, 106 b are monitored through the

windows

138 a, 138 b until the

pointers

142 a, 142 b align with the desired indicium 162. As described above, the indicia 162 identifies the diameter of cut. Therefore, if the

pointers

142 a, 142 b align with the indicium 162 identified as a six (FIG. 5), then the hole cutter assembly 30 will perform a six inch diameter cut. In the illustrated embodiment, the hole cutter assembly 30 can cut a diameter varying from a two inch diameter cut to a seven inch diameter cut. In other embodiments, the hole cutter assembly 30 may cut diameters smaller than two inches and greater than seven inches.

In addition, as the arms 106 a, 160 b move relative to the body 102, the

detent assemblies

150 a, 150 b in the body 102 individually engage the notches 158 in the

arms

106 a, 106 b. As described above, the notches 158 on each

arm

106 a, 106 b are spaced at ⅛″ intervals. Therefore, the

detent assemblies

150 a, 150 b provide positive feedback at every ⅛″ to easily and accurately select a desired diameter of cut. In addition, the

detent assemblies

150 a, 150 b help releasably hold the

arms

106 a, 106 b at discrete positions. As both

arms

106 a, 106 b move in increments of ⅛″, the total diameter of cut (e.g., distance between the cutting

blades

170 a, 170 b) increments by ¼″.

Once the diameter of cut is selected, the drill bit 98 is inserted into the central aperture 130 of the body 102. The drill bit 98 engages the

arms

106 a, 106 b so that the

arms

106 a, 106 b are fixed (i.e., not movable) relative to the body 102 when the drill bit 98 is received in the aperture 130. Consequently, the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b are locked in position at the desired diameter. This allows for a tool-less operation to alter the diameter of cut desired. In other words, a user does not need to use a tool (e.g., a screwdriver or an Allen wrench) to change and adjust the diameter of cut to be performed by the hole cutter assembly 30. Instead, the user can simply remove the drill bit 98 from the body 102 to allow movement of the

arms

106 a, 106 b, and can reinsert the drill bit 98 into the body 102 to inhibit movement of the

arms

106 a, 106 b. The drill bit 98 is releasably secured in place by the quick release mechanism on the arbor 94. As shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the attachment end 110 of the drill bit 98 engages one of the notches 158 in each

arm

106 a, 106 b through the

openings

146 a, 146 b. As such, the

arms

106 a, 106 b are inhibited from movement relative to the body 102. In addition, the drill bit 98 is fully inserted within the central aperture 130 when the shoulder 118 abuts a portion of the body 102, enabling the distance 174 to remain constant. Likewise, the shoulder 118 enables an optimum length of the working end 114 that extends beyond the bowl 34.

In other embodiments, the drill bit 98 may be movable relative the body 102 between a first position and a second position to selectively lock the movement of the

arms

106 a, 106 b relative to the body 102. For example, when the drill bit 98 is in the first position, the

arms

106 a, 106 b are fixed relative to the body 102. When the drill bit 98 is in the second position, the

arms

106 a, 106 b are moveable relative to the body 102. In both positions, however, the drill bit 98 remains coupled to and supported by the body 102. The drill bit 98 may be selectively rotated, translated, or the like between the first position and the second position.

Once the drill bit 98 is fully inserted within the central aperture 130, the working end 126 of the arbor 94 is inserted onto the attachment end 110 of the drill bit 98. As a result, the body 102 is captured between the attachment end 122 of the arbor 94 and the shoulder 118 of the drill bit 98.

The hole cutter assembly 30 is then coupled to the debris shield assembly 26. Specifically, the arbor 94 is inserted through the central aperture 58 of the bowl 34 and into the hub 38 such that a portion of the attachment end 122 extends through the bushing 86. The bushing 86 surrounds a portion of the arbor 94 to facilitate rotation of the arbor 94 (and thereby the hole cutter assembly 30) relative to the debris shield assembly 26. In this orientation, the hole cutter assembly 30 rotates relative to the debris shield assembly 26. In particular, the bushing 86 is in communication with the attachment end 122 to provide a relatively low frictional engagement between the hole cutter assembly 30 and the debris shield assembly 26.

Once the hole cutter assembly 30 is coupled to the debris shield assembly 26, the drive portion 18 of the power tool 14 engages the attachment end 122 of the arbor 94. As such, the drive portion 18 rotatably operates the hole cutter assembly 30.

In operation, a center (i.e., the origin) of a desired hole on the work piece 24 is aligned with the working end 114 of the drill bit 98. As the power tool 14 is actuated, the drive portion 18 of the power tool 14 rotates the hole cutter assembly 30, and the working end 114 of the drill bit 98 initially penetrates the work piece 24 while the debris shield assembly 26 remains stationary. When the power tool 14 is translated (e.g., pushed or guided by a user) towards the work piece 24, the hub 38 also translates towards the work piece 24 and into the bowl 34. As described above, the sidewalls 74 are sized to limit the sliding movement between the hub 38 and the bowl 34. Similarly, this acts as a stop to limit penetration of the hole cutter assembly 30 into the work piece 24 to the set distance 182 (FIG. 8). As the power tool 14 is translated closer to the work piece 24, the cutting

tips

178 a, 178 b begin to cut the desired diameter hole in the work piece 24. Consequently, debris from the cutting operation is entrapped within the bowl 34. Also, the rotational movement of the hole cutter assembly 30 creates an airflow current within the bowl 34. The steps 50 of the bowl 34 are constructed to interrupt the airflow current such that the debris is collected within the channel 54. As debris collects within the channel 54, visibility of the cut being performed is not obstructed through the area of the bottom wall 46 inside the perimeter defined by the channel 54.

When the

cutting blades

170 a, 170 b complete the cut of the hole and the adjustable hole cutter system 10 is moved away from the work piece 24, the spring 90 biases the bowl 34 back to its original position (e.g., before the cut of the hole initiated). Therefore, the adjustable hole cutter system 10 is ready to cut another hole. However, if a different sized hole is desired, the hole cutter assembly 30 is disassembled from the power tool 14 and the debris shield assembly 26 such that the drill bit 98 can be removed from the body 102 to adjust the distance between the cutting

blades

170 a, 170 b (i.e., diameter of a desired cut), as described above. In other embodiments, the diameter of the hole cutter assembly 30 may be adjusted when the debris shield assembly 26 is coupled to the power tool 14. For example, the arbor 94 may be differently constructed such that the debris shield assembly 26 and the arbor 94 remain coupled to the power tool 14 as the drill bit 98 is removed from the body 102.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A hole cutter assembly operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece, the hole cutter assembly comprising:

an arbor configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis;

a body coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor;

a first arm moveably coupled to the body, the first arm extending generally perpendicular to the axis;

a first cutting blade coupled to the first arm and moveable with the first arm relative to the body;

a second arm moveably coupled to the body, the second arm extending generally perpendicular to the axis; and

a second cutting blade coupled to the second arm and moveable with the second arm relative to the body;

wherein the first arm and the second arm are oriented generally parallel to each other on opposing sides of the axis;

wherein the body defines an aperture, and further comprising a drill bit removably received in the aperture for rotation with the arbor; and

wherein each arm includes a plurality of notches formed along a length of the arm, wherein each notch selectively aligns with the aperture as the first and second arms move relative to the body, and wherein, when the drill bit is received within the aperture, a first portion of the drill bit is received in the notch of the first arm that is aligned with the aperture to inhibit movement of the first arm relative to the body, and a second portion of the drill bit is received in the notch of the second arm that is aligned with the aperture to inhibit movement of the second arm relative to the body.

2. The hole cutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first arm is movable relative to the body independently of the second arm.

3. The hole cutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the drill bit includes a shoulder that abuts the body to capture the body between the drill bit and the arbor.

4. The hole cutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first detent assembly that engages the first arm to releasably hold the first arm in a plurality of discrete positions, and a second detent assembly that engages the second arm to releasably hold the second arm in a plurality of discrete positions.

5. The hole cutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the body defines a window, wherein the first arm includes indicia viewable through the window of the body, and wherein the indicia correspond to different sized diameter holes.